Joseph l



(No Modem J. L. POTTER.

SEWER BRAGE. No. 697,738. Patented Jan. 25, 1898.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFicE.

JOSEPH L. POTTER, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

SEWER-BRAD E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 597,738, dated January25, 1898.

Application filed September 20, 1897- Serial No. 652,257. (No model.)

floaZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrn L. POTTER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sewer- Braces, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in braces for sewer-walls, andhas special reference to the transverse braces which are used to supportthe woodwork required to prevent the caving in of the earth in makingexcavations for sewers. These excavations are usually long, deep, andnarrow trenches, and the common practice is to place vertical timbersagainst the earth and support the timbers by horizontal stringers,generally three rows on a side, which are held up by transverse braces.Heretofore it has required two men to place the braces in position, oneto support each end until the length of the brace can be extended,generally by means of a screw, until it is tight enough to keep itsposition. Settling of the walls from various causes frequently causesthem to spread enough to loosen the braces, allowing them to fall, andas the braces for the three stringers are generally in verticalalinement, approximately, the falling of the top brace often knocks theunder ones out, thereby causing much damage and also endangering thelives of the workmen who may be below.

The object of this invention is to provide means for supporting thebraces, whereby one man canrdo the work of two in setting them andwhereby they will be supported when accidentally loosened.

I accomplish the object of the invention by the mechanism illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view in longitudinalsection of my brace, and Fig. 2 is a view. in perspective showing theend of my brace in operative position in the sewer.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout both viewsof the drawings.

A designates the vertical wooden timbers, and B the horizontal stringer.

G is the body portion of my improved brace, and will preferably be metaltubing.

D is a screw having the head D. The screw is inserted into the tube 0 adistance which is controlled bya threaded nut E. This nut hashandle-bars e, whereby it is rotated.

The head D" has spurs d on its outer face, which enter the woodenstringer againstwhich it is screwed. It is also provided with a radialopening at right angles to the screw to receive an angle-bolt F, thecranked end of which is long enough to extend outside of the head andrest upon the top of the stringer B. It is desirable always to have thehead opposite the middle of the stringer. Otherwise the side pressure orpressure near the edge of the stringer may cause the stringer to tip.Then nut f on the threaded end of the anglebolt enables the hooked endto be raised or lowered to suit the width of the stringer. The oppositeend of the tube C is provided with a head D like the head D. It issecured to the tube by a dowel eitension (1 which is inserted into thetube and there riveted.

It is obvious that a hook to contact with the top of the stringer andsustain the head might be cast integral with the head, and therefore Ido not wish to limit my invention to an adjustable hook, as shown in thedrawings.

The operation of my improved brace is so obvious that furtherdescription is unnecessary.

What I claim as new, and wish to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

1. In a sewer-brace a screw having a head with a marginaloutwardly-projected hook to rest on top of the stringer substantially asdescribed and for the purposes specified.

2. In a sewer-brace, heads to contact with the stringer having fiatcontacting faces and marginal radially-adjustable hooks, substantiallyas described and specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, atIndianapolis, Indiana, this 16th day of September, A. D. 1897.

JOSEPH L. POTTER. [L. s]

Witnesses:

HARRY G. HAwEKorrn, JOSEPH A. MINTURN.

